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Form 990-PFTax year 2024EIN 54-1738281

The Volgenau Foundation

A private foundation in McLean, VA. Its return for tax year 2024 lists 60 grants and $13.4 million paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2024 (period ending Dec 31, 2024), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

7 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2024

    $13,446,628

    Grants listed
    60
    Assets, end of year
    $166,183,467

  • Tax year 2023

    $11,438,686

    Grants listed
    50
    Assets, end of year
    $154,624,111

  • Tax year 2022

    $10,073,880

    Grants listed
    54
    Assets, end of year
    $128,354,104

  • Tax year 2021

    $9,974,180

    Grants listed
    52
    Assets, end of year
    $115,273,344

  • Tax year 2020

    $14,675,000

    Grants listed
    67
    Assets, end of year
    $100,328,358

  • Tax year 2019

    $7,550,000

    Grants listed
    44
    Assets, end of year
    $53,393,813

  • Tax year 2018

    $14,455,900

    Grants listed
    81
    Assets, end of year
    $3,723,565

Grants paid in 2024

60 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Volgenau Climate InitiativeMcLean, VA

    2 payments toward 2023 3-year pledge

    $4,146,628
  2. Plastic Solutions Fund A Sponsored Project of Rockefeller Philanthropy AdviNew York, NY

    Plastic solutions fund

    $500,000
  3. Center for Large Landscape ConservationBozeman, MT

    Catalyzing landscape conservation and connectivity in the u.s.

    $400,000
  4. Greater Yellowstone CoalitionBozeman, MT

    Protecting the engine of the ecosystem: greater yellowstone wildlife migrations

    $400,000
  5. National Parks Conservation AssociationWashington, DC

    Protecting national park wildlife

    $400,000
  6. Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation InitiativeBozeman, MT

    General operating support - connecting and protecting wildlife habitat

    $400,000
  7. Naturebridge- West CoastSausalito, CA

    Naturebridge access, growth and leadership

    $350,000
  8. Appalachian Trail ConservancyHarpers Ferry, WV

    Preserving a.t. Landscape connectivity through collaborative conservation and resource stewardship

    $300,000
  9. Indigenous Led A Project of Wild FoundationBoulder, CO

    Rising to the challenge of our collective planetary crises: the case for indigenous-led conservation

    $300,000
  10. Land Trust AlliancecbfnWashington, DC

    To advance nature-based climate solutions through land conservation

    $300,000
  11. Alaska Wilderness LeagueWashington, DC

    Protecting america's arctic

    $250,000
  12. Defenders of WildlifeWashington, DC

    Protecting alaskas biodiversity and restoring imperiled species

    $250,000
  13. EarthjusticeSan Francisco, CA

    Dam free by 2030

    $250,000
  14. Shark Conservation Fund A Project of Rockefeller Philanthropy AdvisorsNew York, NY

    Protecting the world's sharks and rays

    $250,000
  15. The Nature Conservancy of CaliforniaSacramento, CA

    Jack and laura dangermond preserve - the nature of discovery

    $250,000
  16. The Wyldlife FundBuffalo, WY

    Pooled migration fund

    $250,000
  17. American Prairie ReserveBozeman, MT

    Wild sky program support in 2025

    $200,000
  18. New England AquariumBoston, MA

    Saving the NA right whale: understanding and mitigating anthropogenic threats and fostering recovery

    $200,000
  19. Wildlands NetworkSalt Lake Cty, UT

    Improving habitat connectivity and red wolf science to advance population recovery

    $200,000
  20. Alaska Conservation FoundationAnchorage, AK

    Alaska mining impacts network/northern latitudes partnership

    $175,000
  21. Trustees for AlaskaAnchorage, AK

    Fighting climate change by keeping oil and gas in the ground and protecting public lands in alaska

    $175,000
  22. Defenders of WildlifeWashington, DC

    Recovering two icons of wild america, the florida panther and the mexican gray wolf

    $150,000
  23. From the TopBoston, MA

    Be the change: from the top at 25

    $150,000
  24. National Marine Sanctuary FoundationSilver Spring, MD

    Understanding and mitigating anthropogenic threats to our national marine sanctuaries

    $150,000
  25. National Symphony Orchestra (nso) of the John F Kennedy Center for the PerfWashington, DC

    The national symphony orchestras young peoples concerts

    $150,000
  26. River PartnersChico, CA

    Restoring california river corridors: essential habitat connectivity for wildlife recovery

    $150,000
  27. Smithsonian InstituteWashington, DC

    Responding to conservation challenges for threatened/endangered species: swift fox, red wolf & coral

    $150,000
  28. National Marine Sanctuary FoundationSilver Spring, MD

    Ecology & vulnerability of top predators in stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary

    $125,000
  29. People and CarnivoresBozeman, MT

    Expanding resources for expanding grizzly and black bears

    $125,000
  30. Smithsonian InstituteWashington, DC

    Virginia grassland bird initiative (vgbi)

    $125,000
  31. ARC A Project of See (social and Environmental Entrepreneurs)Calabasas, CA

    Ensuring sustained investment in the next-generation of wildlife connectivity infrastructure

    $100,000
  32. Audubon California A State Program of the National Audubon SocietyNew York, NY

    Network of conserved lands and waters for birds in california and the pacific flyway

    $100,000
  33. Endangered Species CoalitionWashington, DC

    Rocky mountain wolf and grizzly protection and recovery

    $100,000
  34. Living Classrooms of the National Capital RegionBaltimore, MD

    Maritime e-stem voyages and kingman and heritage islands

    $100,000
  35. Northern Chumash Tribal CouncilLos Osos, CA

    Chumash heritage national marine sanctuary designation 2024

    $100,000
  36. Piedmont Environmental CouncilWarrenton, VA

    Rappahannock-rapidan conservation initiative

    $100,000
  37. Point Blue Conservation SciencePetaluma, CA

    Protecting iconic wildlife

    $100,000
  38. Potomac ConservancyBethesda, MD

    Potomac headwaters conservation project

    $100,000
  39. Project CoyoteLarkspur, CA

    Coexisting with carnivores

    $100,000
  40. The Nature Conservancy of CaliforniaSacramento, CA

    Thriving wetlands for birds: science to support improving and expanding habitat

    $100,000
  41. The Nature Conservancy of VirginiaCharlottesville, VA

    Migratory shorebirds & community education

    $100,000
  42. Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust IncExmore, VA

    Campaign for rural lands and communities

    $100,000
  43. Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing ArtsVienna, VA

    2024-2025 wolf trap institute early stem/arts program

    $100,000
  44. California Marine Sanctuary FoundationMonterey, CA

    Protecting blue whales and blue skies: reducing ship strike risk on endangered whales in california

    $85,000
  45. Bishop John T Walker School for BoysWashington, DC

    General operating support/scholarships

    $75,000
  46. Center for Biological DiversityTucson, AZ

    Safe pathways for the florida manatee: policy and public education initiative

    $75,000
  47. Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic GardensWashington, DC

    Intergenerational bridges: fostering conservation education at kenilworth aquatic gardens

    $75,000
  48. Levine MusicWashington, DC

    Supporting classical music instruction and the honors program

    $75,000
  49. Greater Good CharitiesSeattle, WA

    Help save the bees

    $65,000
  50. American Bird ConservancyMarshall, VA

    Saving imperiled birds in the west through research, habitat restoration, and stewardship

    $50,000
  51. LighthawkLoveland, CO

    Elevating conservation through aviation

    $50,000
  52. Spark the JourneyWashington, DC

    Mentorship as a means to building social capital for black and brown young adults in washington DC

    $50,000
  53. The Clifton Institute IncWarrenton, VA

    Hands-on educational experiences to get k-12 students outside

    $50,000
  54. The Climate CenterSanta Rosa, CA

    Accelerating natural carbon sequestration and carbon removal in california

    $50,000
  55. The Ocean FoundationWashington, DC

    Ocean connectors: connecting youth for conservation

    $50,000
  56. Wolf Haven InternationalTenino, WA

    Moving to coexistence: outreach and advocacy project

    $50,000
  57. Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation InitiativeBozeman, MT

    Protecting the elusive wolverine: large landscape connectivity and conservation

    $50,000
  58. California Ocean AllianceAptos, CA

    Training and inspiring the next generation of marine mammal scientists

    $25,000
  59. Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR

    Conserving elusive carnivores in old-growth forests through research, education, and outreach

    $25,000
  60. Yellowstone Safe Passages (fiscal Sponsor the Common Ground Project)Emigrant, MT

    Capacity-building for yellowstone safe passages

    $25,000

Approved for future payment

1 grant

Approved in 2024 and not yet paid.

  1. The Nature Conservancy of CaliforniaSacramento, CA

    Restoring the kennebec river

    $250,000

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Environment17 grants $3,050,00052% of the total
  2. Animals10 grants $1,310,00022% of the total
  3. Arts and culture7 grants $900,00015% of the total
  4. Sports and recreation2 grants $375,0006% of the total
  5. Education2 grants $100,0002% of the total
  6. Philanthropy and grantmaking1 grant $65,0001% of the total
  7. 1 other causes1 grant $25,000<1% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Virginia7 grants $4,646,628
  2. District of Columbia12 grants $1,925,000
  3. California12 grants $1,660,000
  4. Montana7 grants $1,600,000
  5. New York3 grants $850,000
  6. Maryland4 grants $475,000
  7. Alaska2 grants $350,000
  8. Colorado2 grants $350,000
  9. Massachusetts2 grants $350,000
  10. West Virginia1 grant $300,000

Officers, directors and trustees

7 people as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Ernst VolgenauPRESIDENT Hours 4Pay $0
  • Lisa VolgenauDIRECTOR AND VP, ENVIRONMENT Hours 20Pay $72,683
  • Lauren Volgenau-KnappDIRECTOR AND VP, ENVIRONMENT Hours 20Pay $72,683
  • Jennifer Volgenau WileyDIRECTOR AND VP, ADMINISTRATION Hours 20Pay $72,683
  • Chris DecardyBOARD MEMBER Hours 2Pay $16,000
  • Jonathan KaledinBOARD MEMBER/EXECUTIVE VP Hours 35Pay $177,500
  • Andrea PearlEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Hours 40Pay $209,251

The return

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